The process undertaken by Cogta has since been met with strong reaction from the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa).

Speaking on POWER Breakfast, Contralesa president Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena says parliament’s failure to consult with traditional leaders is undermining.

“This thing is about us. It’s about traditional leadership and our people who are practicing this culture. We are saying nothing about us without us. As Contralesa we were never consulted. The national house was never consulted. The question is, at whose interest are they doing this?” asks Mokoena.

He also accused government of neglecting the country’s traditional leadership.

“The ANC-led government dished out R20 million to doctors to conduct circumcision at hospitals, but they never gave even a cent to traditional leadership to assist in training people who are supposed to perform this practice,” laments Mokoena.

Cogta has set up a national oversight committee to monitor the initiation practices on the ground – in provinces and districts.